If you have questions about our upcoming trips to The South of France, we are hosting a Zoom info session on October 15th. Get the Zoom link here: www.wineeducate.com/trips

If you want to learn more about our upcoming trips, visit: www.wineeducate.com/trips

To receive study tips, quizzes, and information on upcoming classes, sign up for our newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter

Hello friend, and welcome to Episode 78 of the Wine Educate podcast! I’m your host, Joanne Close, and today we’re diving into the Languedoc, a region that is near and dear to my heart.

As some of you know, my parents bought a vineyard here 25 years ago, so this has been my summer stomping ground for decades. Now that I’m running wine trips, I get even more excuses to visit—not just my parents, but also this extraordinary, and often underrated, corner of France. I’ve had some of the best meals and most memorable bottles of wine in the Languedoc, and I can’t wait to share its story with you.

• Why Jancis Robinson calls Languedoc “France’s best value.”

• The history behind the name “Languedoc” and its three central departments: Aude, Hérault, and Gard.

• How the Languedoc evolved from producing France’s bulk wines to becoming home to exciting AOCs.

• The importance of IGP wines here (60% of France’s IGP wines come from this region!).

• The role of wind, sunshine, and climate in shaping viticulture.

• Key appellations and sub-appellations you should know for your wine studies.

• Signature grape varieties and styles—from bold reds to refreshing Picpoul de Pinet and sparkling wines of Limoux.

• Personal stories from my family’s vineyard and why this region continues to inspire me.

The Languedoc is literally watching itself reinvent and redefine quality. It’s vast, diverse, and still evolving, which makes it both exciting to study and rewarding to drink from. Whether you’re studying for WSET or just looking for amazing value wines, the Languedoc has something for you.

If you have questions about our upcoming trips to The South of France, we are hosting a Zoom info session on October 15th. Get the Zoom link here: www.wineeducate.com/trips

If you want to learn more about our upcoming trips, visit: www.wineeducate.com/trips

To receive study tips, quizzes, and information on upcoming classes, sign up for our newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

Description:
In Episode 77 of the Wine Educate Podcast, Joanne Close explores the fascinating rise of Super Tuscans—wines that broke Italy’s traditional rules and became some of the most sought-after bottles in the world.

In Tuesday’s episode, we covered Chianti and Chianti Classico. Today, we’re heading about 75 miles southwest to Bolgheri, the coastal home of Super Tuscans. Though close in distance, Chianti and Bolgheri couldn’t be more different in climate, grape varieties, and wine styles.

We’ll dive into:

• What makes a wine a “Super Tuscan” (hint: it’s all about those Bordeaux grapes and French barriques)

• Why the end of Tuscany’s sharecropping system in the 1950s–60s led to a decline in wine quality

• How new investors and open-minded winemakers planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah

• The origin story of Sassicaia, the trailblazing wine that inspired a movement

• The creation of Bolgheri DOC in 1983, its evolution in 1994, and the unique 2013 Sassicaia DOC—Italy’s only single-estate DOC

• How Bolgheri grew from 250 hectares in the late 1990s to nearly 1,200 hectares today with 60 producers

• Why Super Tuscans remain some of the most iconic and expensive wines in Italy

Episode Highlights:

• The contrast between Chianti Classico’s high-altitude Sangiovese and Bolgheri’s plush Bordeaux blends

• The story of Sassicaia and why it’s so special

• The evolution from “vino da tavola” to prestigious DOC status

• Current pricing and collector appeal of Super Tuscans

Perfect for:

• WSET students looking to sharpen Level 3 knowledge

• Italian wine enthusiasts curious about more than Chianti

• Collectors and wine lovers who want to understand the Super Tuscan legacy

👉 Want to test your knowledge? I’m adding new wine quizzes in the Wine Educate Newsletter. Sign up at wineeducate.com

Hello and welcome back to the Wine Educate Podcast. I’m your host, Joanne Close, and this is episode 76. Today we’re diving into the history and wine laws of Chianti and Chianti Classico. This is a Level 3 topic, but I’ve added context and stories that bring the region to life.

Chianti has one of the longest and most fascinating histories in Italian wine. As early as the 13th century, the region was known as “Chianti,” and in 1716, Grand Duke Cosimo III of Tuscany officially delineated the boundaries of what is essentially Chianti Classico today. This was done to protect quality and combat fraud, making Chianti one of the first wine regions in the world to be legally defined.

In 1924, the Consortium for the Defense of Chianti Wine was founded, beginning with just 33 producers and symbolized by the black rooster, the Gallo Nero. Today, it represents nearly 500 producers and continues to defend the reputation of Chianti Classico, often clashing with government decisions and proposals from the broader Chianti DOCG.

We’ll explore the differences between the two appellations:

• Chianti DOCG (DOC status in 1967, DOCG in 1984): A broad region divided into seven subzones, requiring only 70% Sangiovese in the blend and allowing higher yields. Quality can vary widely, though subzones like Chianti Rufina and Colli Senesi stand out.

• Chianti Classico DOCG (its own DOCG since 1996): The historic heartland, with vineyards at higher altitudes that produce wines of greater acidity, structure, and elegance. Rules require at least 80% Sangiovese (often 100%), with defined aging requirements: 12 months for Classico, 24 months plus 3 in bottle for Riserva, and 30 months for Gran Selezione, which must come from a single estate.

We’ll also talk about the introduction of UGAs (subzones within Chianti Classico) in 2021, the consortium’s ongoing battles with Chianti DOCG over labeling, and why this region’s story is full of both drama and determination.

If you’d like to test your knowledge, sign up for the Wine Educate newsletter at wineeducate.com

Resources & Links:

• Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

• Visit our website: www.wineeducate.com

How to Contact Us:

• Email: joanne@wineeducate.com

• Instagram: @wineeducate

Hello friends, and welcome back to the Wine Educate Podcast. I’m your host, Joanne Close, and today we’re doing something a little different. This episode won’t be heavy on exam prep, but it will give you important context about Piedmont and its history through two fascinating regions: Alto Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta.

This topic is fresh on my mind because Jim and I were recently there this summer, and I’ll also be teaching a class on it in the shop this Tuesday (there are still a few spots left if you’re local).

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The drive from Nizza Monferrato to Gattinara, just 72 miles and about an hour and 20 minutes, through the rice fields that produce 90 percent of Italy’s rice.

• My visit to Cantina Sociale di Gattinara, a historic co-op founded in 1908, and why this modest place holds such significance in the region’s story.

• The history of Alto Piemonte, which once had 40,000 hectares under vine and produced Nebbiolo wines more prized than Barolo and Barbaresco, before phylloxera, wars, and migration nearly wiped it out.

• The current landscape of Alto Piemonte, with Gattinara at 111 hectares and other appellations as small as 8 hectares, and the renewed investment from Barolo producers seeking cooler, higher-altitude vineyards.

• Nebbiolo, known locally as Spanna, how it got that name, the blending grapes historically used, and why so many producers now focus on 100 percent Nebbiolo wines.

• Valle d’Aosta, Italy’s smallest wine region at 469 hectares, a short but winding drive from Gattinara.

• The charm of the town of Aosta, its food shops, its folklore of dragons, the devil, and fairies, and how this mythology shows up in its architecture and even its wine labels.

• The unique position of Aosta as the last town before Mont Blanc, where both Italian and French appear on labels.

• The DOC structure and key grapes of the region, including Petit Rouge, Nebbiolo, and Prié Blanc, which reaches the highest vineyards in Europe at around 1200 meters.

This episode blends history, travel, and wine study in a way that helps place Piedmont into a fuller context.

If you are local, I would love for you to join me Tuesday at The Independent to taste through some of these wines. If you are not local, we offer wine classes year-round, so you can check our website for sessions that interest you.

Next week we return to the classics of wine law with Chianti, then Rioja and the Langhe.

Welcome back to the Wine Educate Podcast, where we explore WSET education, study tips, and practical advice for wine enthusiasts and professionals. I’m your host, Joanne Close, and this is episode 74.

Today, we’re heading to Northeast Italy, into the Veneto, to explore Valpolicella—a region whose wines feature prominently in both WSET Level 2 and Level 3. While you may not think “Valpolicella” sounds familiar, chances are you’ve heard of or even tried Amarone, one of its most famous styles.

Valpolicella produces a wide range of wines, from light and easy-drinking reds to powerful, age-worthy wines made with partially dried grapes. In this episode, we’ll unpack the different appellations, key grape varieties, and unique winemaking techniques that make this region so important to understand for your studies.

• The geography of Valpolicella, located just outside Verona in the foothills of the Lessini Mountains.

• The main grapes: Corvina (the star of the show), along with Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara.

• The difference between wines made from fresh grapes versus those made with the appassimento method (partially drying grapes before fermentation).

• The dry styles: Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella Classico DOC.

• The sweet and powerful wines: Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG and how it paved the way for Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG.

• The story of Amarone’s “accidental” birth and its rise to international fame.

• The Ripasso method, where Valpolicella wine is “re-passed” over Amarone skins, creating the so-called “Baby Amarone.”

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a much clearer grasp of the styles, rules, and labeling terms that often confuse students—and you’ll be better prepared to recognize how these wines show up in WSET exam questions.

• Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter for weekly study tips, class updates, and practice essay questions. www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

• Catch up on Episode 72 for an overview of Italian wine laws.

Next time, we’ll head back to Piedmont to explore a more off-the-beaten-path region, Valle d’Aosta. Stay tuned!

Barolo & Barbaresco: Wine Laws at the WSET Level 3 Level

Welcome back to the Wine Educate Podcast, where we explore WSET education, study tips, and practical advice for wine enthusiasts and professionals. I’m your host, Joanne Close, and this is episode 73. Today, we’re diving into two of Italy’s most legendary regions: Barolo and Barbaresco, through the lens of WSET Level 3 wine laws.

These two Nebbiolo-based DOCGs may sit just two miles apart, but their histories, elevations, soils, and styles each tell a fascinating story. Barolo spans about 2,000 hectares, while Barbaresco is much smaller at just 677 hectares. Both regions are defined by steep south-facing slopes, variations in altitude, and unique mesoclimates that make understanding their laws and vineyard classifications essential for Level 3 students.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• The growth of Barolo’s vineyard land (including the 50% increase between 1999–2013) and what it means for quality.

• Barolo’s DOCG rules, from 100% Nebbiolo to its strict minimum aging requirements (38 months, with 18 in wood).

• The controversies between traditional and modern producers in the 1990s and how styles have evolved.

• Barbaresco’s smaller size, earlier ripening Nebbiolo, and how the Tanaro River influences its style.

• Why Barbaresco requires only 26 months of aging, and the logic behind the January release date.

• The role of villages, named vineyards (crus), and labeling terms that help you identify the best wines.

• How Alba DOC and Langhe DOC wines offer tremendous value compared to their more famous neighbors.

I’ll also share some of my own travel experiences in the region—from tasting unforgettable wines to hearing firsthand about the challenges of soaring land and housing prices for local winemaking families.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of how Barolo and Barbaresco’s wine laws shape their styles, reputations, and market values.

📌 Next up: On Tuesday, we’ll shift focus to Valpolicella and unpack Amarone, Ripasso, and Recioto—another region where wine laws really drive style.

Resources & Links

• Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

How to Contact Us

Email: joanne@wineeducate.com Website: www.wineeducate.com Instagram: @wineeducate

Hello and welcome to the Wine Educate Podcast, where we explore WSET education, study tips, and practical advice for wine enthusiasts and professionals. I'm your host, Joanne Close, and this is Episode 72.

Last week in the newsletter, I asked what wine laws you wanted me to cover next, and over 75% of you said Piedmont. But before we dive into that beautiful (and complex!) region, it’s important to first look at Italy’s wine laws as a whole. Understanding the bigger framework will make learning regions like Piedmont much easier.

In this episode, I’ll cover:

• Italy’s geography and climate – stretching across varied latitudes, mountain ranges, and volcanic soils.

• The incredible grape diversity – over 350 authorized grape varieties and potentially hundreds more still being identified.

• The wine law system – from the EU’s PDO/PGI framework to Italy’s own DOC, DOCG, and IGT designations.

• History of Italian wine laws – why Italy was later than France to adopt these systems, and how they evolved from the 1960s through the 1990s.

• Key labeling terms – what Classico means (think historic heartland sites) and how Riserva indicates longer aging.

This episode will give you a solid foundation so when we get into regions like Barolo, Barbaresco, Valpolicella, Alto Piemonte, and Valle d’Aosta, the details will click into place.

If you’re not yet on the Wine Educate newsletter, make sure to sign up at wineeducate.com – it’s where I share extra study tips and give you a say in which regions we cover next.

On Thursday, we’ll start with Barolo and Barbaresco, two of the most iconic DOCGs in Italy. See you then!

• Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

Email: joanne@wineeducate.com
Website: www.wineeducate.com
Instagram: @wineeducate

In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, we conclude our Burgundy wine law series with two often-overlooked but fascinating regions: the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais. These southern Burgundy appellations may not always command the same prestige as the Côte d’Or, but they deliver remarkable value and unique expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

We’ll cover:

• The geography and elevation of the Côte Chalonnaise and how it impacts ripening and wine style.

• Notable appellations including Rully, Mercurey, Givry, Montagny, and Bouzeron (yes, it’s as fun to say as it sounds).

• How wines from these regions compare to their Côte d’Or neighbors—sometimes lighter, sometimes rustic, but often great value.

• The history and expansion of the Mâconnais, where Chardonnay dominates, Gamay sneaks in, and rolling hills create diversity in vineyard conditions.

• Key appellations such as Mâcon-Villages, Saint-Véran, and the star of the region: Pouilly-Fuissé, which gained Premier Cru status as recently as 2020.

• Why these regions represent “sneaky deals” for wine students and enthusiasts alike.

As always, I connect these details back to the WSET Level 3 framework so you’ll know exactly what to focus on for exam preparation.

Next week, by popular request, we begin exploring the wine laws of Northern Italy, starting with Piedmont.